Sep 20, 2008 4:54 pm US/Eastern
Presidential Candidates Respond To Pakistan Attack
WASHINGTON (AP) ―
President Bush on Saturday strongly condemned the terrorist bombing of a Marriott hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, while stopping short of assigning blame for the attack.
The presidential candidates were less reluctant-Republican John McCain pointed to "violent Islamic extremism" and Democrat Barack Obama said the attack "demonstrates the grave and urgent threat that al Qaeda and its affiliates pose to the United States, to Pakistan, and to the security of all nations."
Bush said in a statement the attack-which killed dozens, including at least one American-"is part of a continuing assault on the people of Pakistan."
"This attack is a reminder of the ongoing threat faced by Pakistan, the United States, and all those who stand against violent extremism," said Bush, who extended his condolences to the families of those killed.
He promised to "assist Pakistan in confronting this threat and bringing the perpetrators to justice," and to support Pakistanis "as they face enormous challenges economically as well as from terrorism."
Obama, campaigning in Florida, and McCain, who attended a Navy football game in Annapolis, Md., also issued statements extending their condolences.
Obama said: "As the attack earlier this week on our embassy in Yemen shows, over seven years after 9/11, the terrorist threat knows no borders, and the terrorists threaten innocent civilians of all religions and regions. Now is the time to refocus our efforts on defeating al Qaeda and securing the American people."
An attack Wednesday by a half dozen gunmen on the U.S. Embassy in Yemen killed 17 people, including one American.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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